Finding Consistency

Consistency is an elusive thing, especially when I am trying to develop new habits. I have always heard that it takes 28 days to break a habit and 90 days to establish a new one. That explains why so many of us fail to make lasting changes in our lives. I can hold out for 28 days, breaking the grip of the old habit, but staying consistent long enough to really establish the new behavior can be a challenge.

I have found a way to remain pretty consistent around exercise since I started this whole journey back in January. What I do has changed and grown over the last 8 months, but I have somehow managed to keep at it until now it’s just what I do. Going to the gym, going to Pilates, working out at home and work; these have all become a part of the fabric of my life. I am healthier than I have been in decades. Even though I am nowhere near my weight loss goal I am seeing the r3esults of the increased commitment to staying active. The more results I see, the more motivated I am to continue.

Food, on the other hand, remains a challenge. My diet is actually pretty consistent and I rarely eat things that don’t fit the plan. The problem is that it’s not getting me where I want to go. Every time I try to make another change in my diet I really struggle with sticking to it. So far I haven’t even been able to get to the 28 day mark. I am praying for strength and guidance, and I know that I have to keep trying. My guess is that the food part of things (and the weight loss that is tied to it) is going to take longer than I would like it to. Like, WAY longer.

Sticking with something is challenging. One and done – That’s how I like things. I don’t care how hard or scary or painful something is, if I can get it done in one fell swoop then I’m in. This little bit at a time stuff is not my favorite. But it seems like it’s the only way. One Day at a Time… I’ve heard that someplace before.

I was doing really well and then I figured out I’ve got two small hernias from lifting weights. Surgery for them is “no big deal” except it is always something I try to avoid unless absolutely necessary. These don’t bother me as long as I don’t work out with weights- which sucks. So I either need to find a new way to exercise, or get surgery, wait 6 weeks and then I can resume what I was doing. If I figure out a new way that doesn’t involve weightlifting, these tiny hernias shouldn’t bother me enough to need surgery for years. They’re mostly a cosmetic issue- a tiny alien coming out of my tummy. So I gotta figure something ..that’s why I think I’d really like to check out Redbird.